Law and Nurture

Essay

It begins by discussing the people we shepherd and nurture. When we eventually lead a ministry or care for others, we don't only encounter individuals of the type we desire. While we might hope to work with mature sheep, the ones God entrusts to us can be young lambs or early believers who carry many wounds.

The key point is that the one who chooses the sheep is not us, but Jesus. A shepherd is not someone who only cares for those who fit personal preferences. Instead, we accept the people Jesus entrusts to us as our mission, feeding and caring for them according to their condition.

Recall the flow of John chapter 21. Jesus tells Peter to feed the lambs, to tend the sheep, and to feed the sheep. There is a subtle distinction here. We shouldn’t approach all sheep the same way; we need to differentiate between young lambs and mature sheep, and between feeding and guiding them.

A young lamb is a newborn sheep. It may be someone new in faith, wounded, dependent, and uncertain about their identity. If we impose rigorous training and responsibilities too soon, they can falter. At this stage, what they need most is love.

I can give a personal example. I once thought about training someone as a minister and approached them with that mindset for a day. That person was immediately hurt and remained silent for a long time. My intention was to improve their rhythm and attitude to become a better drummer, but their stage was not one for training—they needed love first.

So young lambs need tenderness. Though this phrase might sound light, it reflects an essential pastoral sensitivity. People whose identity is shaken need to hear, "You’re doing well," "You’re okay," and "You are loved." Experiencing unconditional love first is necessary before they can accept the discipline of the next stage.

Mature sheep, on the other hand, must be treated differently. Adult sheep can move independently and take responsibility. Some people grow more when given responsibility. If we only feed them without entrusting any responsibility, their growth may be hindered. Mature sheep need direction, responsibility, and guidance to serve alongside others.

Discernment is crucial for the pastor here. Some people need love and nourishment, while others require discipline and responsibility. Applying one approach uniformly can cause problems. If you always treat everyone the same way, you may not fully understand their stage or needs.

Churches can also be categorized. A restorative church attracts many wounded and immature people. A nurturing and growth-oriented church focuses on explaining the foundations and principles of faith, providing stability and training. A mature partnership church aims for responsible individuals to share in the mission together. None of these alone constitutes the body of Christ, nor are the others wrong.

Therefore, do not judge churches carelessly. Some churches serve as places of restoration, others focus on nurturing, and still others raise up mature partners. Even a church that seems lacking in my eyes may be fulfilling a necessary role within the body of Christ before God.

Next, we must move on to the structure of the gospel. The Mosaic covenant and the new covenant do not operate in the same way. The covenant structures of the Old Testament and the New Testament differ. When we say Jesus came to fulfill the law, it does not mean we are now able to perfectly keep all the law.

To say the law is fulfilled means its purpose has been accomplished in Jesus. What the law pointed to, what the sacrificial system anticipated, what the temple and priesthood symbolized—all have been realized in Christ. Therefore, in Jesus, some parts of the law have been set aside, and some parts have been fulfilled so that they can no longer be repeated in the old way.

The clearest example is sacrifice. Old Testament sacrifices were repetitive. But Jesus’ cross was a once-for-all sacrifice. Therefore, offering animal sacrifices again in the New Testament era is to insult the blood of Jesus. Sacrifice has structurally ended in Christ.

The temple is similar. The temple was central in the Old Testament, but in the new covenant, Christ is central. Christ is the true temple, and the church and believers in Christ are the temple. Now, God's presence is not confined to a single building but revealed in Christ and in His body, the community.

The function of the law has also changed. Many Old Testament regulations operated within Israel’s religious state and temple system. But under the new covenant, external compliance is not the standard of righteousness. Faith is the standard. What fundamentally changes a person is not grabbing more regulations but the internal work of the Holy Spirit.

However, this does not mean the law has no value. That is an extreme view. The law reveals sin, displays God's holiness, and makes us realize that we cannot be righteous on our own. The law functions like a mirror, showing us the dirty spots.

But a mirror cannot wash a person. The law reveals sin, but the power to cleanse sin and give life lies in the gospel, the Holy Spirit, and the new life within us. Therefore, the law is certainly beneficial, but its commandments themselves do not give life.

The issue of tithing must be understood within this structure. In the Old Testament, tithing was connected to the temple, the Levite tribe, and the theocratic structure of Israel. In the New Testament era, voluntary giving and stewardship take a more central role. This is not to say that tithing has no meaning, nor is it a criticism of churches that teach tithing.

The important point is the stage of the individual. For some, tithing serves as a basic standard and a training in faith. But some mature believers, aware that everything they have belongs to God, give more broadly, share more, and dedicate themselves more fully. Simply telling such a person "You must tithe" may not fit their stage of faith.

For example, imagine a group of fully committed CEOs. They have a deep awareness of dedicating their lives, finances, and businesses to God and may already give well beyond a tenth. Speaking to them only as you would to a beginner believer is pastorally inappropriate.

So the key is flexible discernment. We must understand the structure of law and gospel and simultaneously see where a person is in their journey. We should offer love and nourishment to lambs, responsibility and direction to growing sheep, and deeper mission and freedom to mature coworkers.

We cannot choose whom God entrusts to us. It could be a lamb like a fetus, a young lamb, or a mature sheep. Therefore, a minister must not prepare only one approach. They should be ready to serve effectively at whatever stage a person is.

Ultimately, the benefit of the law and the core of the gospel must be held together. The law benefits by revealing sin and helping us discern God's will. But the gospel gives life, the Spirit transforms people, and the new covenant calls us on the path of faith and inner change. Pastors must feed, care for, and build up people according to their stage within this gospel framework.

Content Notes

1. A shepherd does not choose only the sheep they prefer.

The people God entrusts may not be mature, reliable, or easy to lead. They may be young lambs, wounded believers, or people who need long care. Shepherding begins by receiving the people Jesus entrusts as mission.

2. John 21 shows different kinds of care.

Jesus speaks of feeding lambs, shepherding sheep, and feeding sheep. The distinction matters. Not every person needs the same kind of care at the same moment.

3. Lambs need love and feeding before heavy responsibility.

New believers, wounded people, and dependent souls can be damaged if they are immediately pressed into discipline or performance. They need stability, safety, nourishment, and the experience of being loved before they can bear heavier training.

4. Encouragement can be a serious pastoral act.

For someone whose identity is fragile, simple words like "You are doing well" or "You are loved" are not shallow. They can give the inner safety needed before correction or responsibility can be received.

5. Mature sheep need direction and responsibility.

Some believers grow when responsibility is entrusted to them. Feeding them endlessly without giving direction, mission, or responsibility can actually hold them back. Mature sheep need to walk, serve, and participate in the work.

6. Pastoral discernment means caring according to stage.

Some people need love, some need training, and some need mission. Treating everyone the same way may feel fair, but it often ignores the actual condition of the person. Shepherding requires flexible discernment.

7. Different churches may carry different roles.

Some churches function as places of restoration, some as places of teaching and growth, and some as communities of mature partnership. One church may not carry every role equally. It is better to discern than to judge carelessly.

8. The Mosaic covenant and the new covenant work differently.

Jesus fulfilled the law, but that does not mean believers now repeat every Old Testament command in the old structure. Fulfillment means the purpose of the law has reached its goal in Christ.

9. Sacrifice is completed in Jesus.

Old Testament sacrifices were repeated again and again. Jesus’ cross is once-for-all. To return to animal sacrifice after Christ would dishonor the sufficiency of His blood.

10. The temple is re-centered in Christ and His body.

The Old Testament centered worship around the temple, but the new covenant centers on Christ. Jesus is the true temple, and believers in Him are God’s living temple. God’s presence is no longer confined to one building.

11. Righteousness is grounded in faith, not external rule-keeping.

Many Old Testament regulations belonged to Israel’s religious and national structure. In the new covenant, the standard of righteousness is faith in Christ, and true transformation comes through the inward work of the Holy Spirit.

12. The law still has real benefit.

It is an overreaction to say the law is worthless. The law reveals sin, shows God’s holiness, and teaches us that we cannot make ourselves righteous. It gives clarity about the human condition.

13. The law is a mirror, but not the power that cleanses.

A mirror can show dirt, but it cannot wash the face. The law exposes sin, but life, cleansing, and transformation come through the gospel, the Spirit, and the new life given in Christ.

14. Tithing must be understood through the new covenant.

The Old Testament tithe was connected to the temple, the Levites, and Israel’s covenant structure. In the new covenant, voluntary giving, stewardship, and joyful dedication come to the foreground. This is not a rejection of tithing but a clearer framework.

15. Mature believers need a broader language of stewardship.

For some, the tithe is an important basic discipline. But mature believers may already understand that all they have belongs to God. They need language about mission, generosity, stewardship, and full dedication, not only a beginner’s rule.

16. Ministers must be ready for many stages of people.

God may entrust unborn-like lambs, young lambs, growing sheep, or mature coworkers. A minister cannot prepare only one approach. Shepherding requires the ability to feed, heal, guide, train, and entrust according to the person’s stage.

17. The benefit of the law and the life of the gospel belong together.

The law helps reveal sin and discern God’s will, but it does not give life by itself. The gospel gives life, the Spirit changes people, and the new covenant calls us into inner transformation. Healthy ministry holds both clearly.